I can't remember if I've introduced our Wee One--Wee Lass of Del Rey our very naughty, slightly crazy, separation anxiety plagued Pomeranian!

She is just too cute!

We are starting preschool this week—officially!  I’m so excited and totally over-prepared!  I’ve planned out our lessons by the week, bought the supplies, cut out the art projects, placed the projects for each week into their own Ziploc bag, checked out our books from the library.  We’re ready!!!!  Here’s our plan:

Each week we’re going to do some reading lessons from Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons.  Jaylyn has been wanting to learn to read and she’s always complaining that she can’t read.  She knows all her letters and the basic phonics sounds for each letter.  Sooo, we’re going to take it really slow and just see how things work. 

Each week, we’ll also read several Bible stories.  For the fall semester, we’re going to be reading through the Old Testament in her new Preschool Bible.  By Christmas we’ll be at the story of Christ’s birth.  Then in the spring we’ll be going through the gospels—at  Easter time we should be at the Easter story!!!  We’ll also be learning a couple Bible verses each week. 

Then for Jaylyn’s favorite part—projects!!!  We’ll try to do a couple projects that will relate to our Bible stories for that week.  We’ll also so some projects that will relate to our monthly theme.  Projects are defined as anything messy painty, gluey, sticky, foldy, colory, crafty, etc.  Bring on the smocks and easel. 

For science and math we’ll review shapes, numbers, play with sensory tubs full of sand, birdseed, rice, and do other messy exploration projects……………..

We’ll also have lots of pretend play---turning the living room into a tent house, a castle, a beach, a boat, and cooking in the play kitchen. 

We’ll also take field trips to the zoo, aquarium, omniplex, children’s museum, parks, pools, art museums………………

So, in reality it’s not too different from what we already do—it’s just a little more planned and organized.  But it’s official!  We’re homeschoolers.  Preschool here we come!

It sure has been hot here!  Yuck!  But we’ve had a fun week and weekend despite the heat. Thursday I took the kiddos to the zoo for a picnic breakfast.  Yes, you read that right—breakfast!  We left the house at 7 am!!  We got to the zoo when it opened at 7:30 and enjoyed a quiet, quiet zoo picnic breakfast in an empty pavilion.  The lion cubs were out, the gorillas, the chimps, the orangutans, the snow leopard, the tigers, the serval, the rhinos, and we had a front row view of the seal lion area.  We were out of the zoo gates by 10:30 am, right when everyone else was trying to get in.  What a perfect morning!  We beat the heat and the crowd!

Friday we had a great-grandma play day.  We took over great-grandma’s house and made a huge mess and ate a big lunch. 

Saturday morning was pancake breakfast with the master pancake flipper—Dad.  Jaylyn begs for pancakes first thing in the morning on Saturdays.  That morning, she walked into our bedroom at 7 am with a, “I’m awake Daddy!  I want pancakes!”  She has a little internal pancake clock that tells her when it’s Saturday.  And Daddy can never tell her no. 

Sunday was church day as usual.  Jaylyn loves her Sunday school class.  The preschool workers at our new church are wonderful.  Each week they do a Bible story, do a craft related to the story, color, have a singing time, have gym time, and learn memory verses.  I’ve been so impressed!  And the baby nursery is great too.  I wasn’t sure I was a fan of nurseries after our last experience, but the workers and the nursery organization at this church changed my mind.  We fill out all of Jaxon’s info, his feeding times, his sleeping preferences, his eating preferences, and info about his blankie and other favorite toys.  There is usually about one worker per infant and the babies are held, rocked, and played with the entire time.  Jaxon just loves his teachers.  The director of the “baby room” is so sweet and wonderful.  She calls herself the “nursery grandma” and she adores the babies.  I think Jaxon may very well be a favorite because two of the ladies always fight over who holds him.  They call him their snuggle bunny.  Our new church has been such a wonderful change for all of us. 

After church Jaylyn was talking about a mile a minute for a good 45 minutes while we fixed lunch and ate.  She is so funny!  She cannot close her mouth and sometimes I don’t think she even takes a breath.  I told Jaylyn that we are starting preschool this week (more on this later) and she was so excited.  She has no idea what I’m talking about, but at least she was enthusiastic.  She said “Preschool!” and nodded like a wise sage.  Then she said, “I can pick out a different dress everyday!!!”  Ohh……..the bliss of homeschool preschool.  Then she looked at her Daddy and said, “You can pick out a dress too!  But only when you’re older.  I’m older now.”  Ohhh, Jaylyn. 

Then she quickly switched gears and began talking about her Sunday school lesson which was about Noah (they send home handouts for the parents so we can reinforce the lesson—the organization again!).  “Noah obeyed.  Sometimes I don’t obey you and Daddy.  Sometimes I don’t listen and I don’t obey.  But sometimes I do obey!  I listen and obey you!  Sometimes I don’t obey and Daddy gives me a spanking.  Then I cry and I’m sad.  But sometimes I obey!!!”  Whew………..breathe!!!  But she’s listening during Sunday school.  That’s a plus!  Then, Sunday evening while we ran errands, Jaylyn insisted on wearing her pale pink snowflake mittens everywhere.  Nevermind that it was 105 degrees outside.  Nope.  Those mittens were so very important.  She is so funny.  It’s something new everyday!  She keeps things interesting around here. 

And so does Jaxon.  He’s busy perfecting the army crawl and trying to find new and interesting things to put in his mouth.  He’s only sampled several crayons (black was his favorite) and several of Jaylyn’s art projects (he enjoys munching construction paper—it’s fiber though!!).  Ohh, the house will never be Jaxon-proof enough.  He’s also very busy crawling right into furniture, walls, doorframes, and pulling things over on top of himself (child-safe toys that should not do that!).  I call him the “Danger Zone” because everything he touches somehow becomes dangerous.  Never a dull moment!

Jaylyn has such sweet prayers when she will actually say them.  Today I asked her to pray for our breakfast and she cheerfully complied. 

"Dear Jesus, Thank you for our banquid (banquet).  Love God, love others as yourself.  Amen" 

So precious.  She knows her commandments and wants to make sure Jesus knows them too.  I have a feeling He's heard those before. 

Banquet is Jaylyn's word of the week so she uses it whenever possible.  At every meal, "Is this a banquet?"  Sure!  Why not?

The other day, while we were all driving in the car on the way to the library, we were having one of many discussions.  We were talking about some friends of ours that have twin girls.  We had seen them recently and were unable to tell them apart as usual.  Jaylyn had asked one of them, "Who are you?" because she was trying to figure out which girl it was. 

During our discussion, Jaylyn asked us why people were twins.  Hmmmm, good question.  I could have launched into the scientific explaination (if I could explain it, which I doubt I could) but I don't think it would have helped her much.  I instead answered that I wasn't sure why God created twins and that someday she should just ask Him.  So, she did.  Coming from the backseat we heard, "God, why twins?"  I know she was expecting her answer right then.  How do I explain that?  But her sweet childlike faith is so wonderful to watch. 

I saw this poem on another blog today and thought it was such a wonderful reminder. 

I hope that my child, looking back on today
Will remember a mother who had time to play;
Because children grow up while you're not looking,
There are years ahead for cleaning and cooking.
So, quiet down cobwebs, dust go to sleep.
I'm nursing my baby, and babies don't keep.

Sometimes I have to remember that the cooking and cleaning aren't really the priority around here.  My house may never be clean or perfectly decorated.  My shorts and t-shirt are usually covered in spit up, drool, or some other unidentifiable substance.  I normally sport the boring mom ponytail and some days my face doesn't see much makeup.  A few days I've even had to go without a shower!!! 

But.........I've been to the park, the pool, the library.  I've been on a walk, a swing, a slide.  I've read 10 books (10 times each), made 9 trips to help with the potty, played peek-a-boo hiding behind 8 different things, cooked 7 imaginary meals, sang 6 rounds of The Wheels on the Bus, changed 5 dress-up outfits, put the dog out to potty 4 times, made 3 meals, painted 2 pictures, and doctored 1 boo boo.  I've given countless hugs and kisses and received many more. 

So when you come to my house, watch out for the princess castle, step over the pile of books, crawl under the tent house, and join us for an imaginary tea party, but wear your best princess dress.

Those are the things memories are made of and the moments that matter most.

Meet the world's newest superhero---Goggle Girl!!!

I just came across some older pictures of Jaylyn that were on my parents' camera.  I guess these were taken sometime in early spring or late winter, but I had never seen them before..........

Pop's motorcycle

Zoe dog

Taking Zoe for a walk

Musical Genius at work!!

Big sister is always taking care of her little brother!!  She's making sure he "doesn't fall over."

He just realized he's being watched..............

This week, I've felt really impressed to pray for my children.  I do pray for them on a regular basis but I feel like I'm always saying the same prayers and I've felt like I was in a rut.  Lately, my prayers have been more for my interaction with my children--wanting some patience and wisdom.  But I've really been convicted that my two little ones need to have more of a priority in my prayer life.  I always pray for my attitute so why not pray for theirs? 

So, today I began to think about all the areas in which to pray for them.  I found some good Scriptures and good articles about praying for our children and wanted to share some of the things I read. 

Salvation--seems like an obvious response but I know I don't pray that prayer enough.

A love for God's Word--I don't want my children to simply experience salvation.  I want them to have a deep love for the Lord, His Word, and His Work.  I want them to desire an intimate relationship with Christ and to enjoy spending time in the Word. 

Psalm 19:9-10-"The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.  The ordinances of the Lord are sure and altogether righteous.  They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb."

A passion for God--I want my children to have that passionate intimate relationship in their prayer life and in worship. 

A heart for God's work--I want my children to enjoy doing God's work and participate in spreading the Gospe wherever they are called to live.

Psalm 96:3-"Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples."

I've been so convicted that my prayers are mostly for the present.  I sometimes forget (or don't want to think about) the fact that my children will one day grow up.  The 2 year old tantrum and whiny phases will end.  My 8 month old will one day stop teething and start walking.  My children will not be mine forever, and actually, they're really only on loan to me.  They are God's, and their future is in His hands.  I need to pray for that future- that it will be lived to the fullest and lived in the center of God's will for them, because that's the best place they could be. 

There are many more things to add to my list so look for those in future posts.

I took a little personality test and man, am I boring!!!  I read the description to my husband and he thought it was pretty accurate. 

You Are An ISTJ

The Duty Fulfiller You are responsible, reliable, and hardworking - you get the job done. You prefer productive hobbies, like woodworking or knittings. Quiet and serious, you are well prepared for whatever life hands you. Conservative and down-to-earth, you hardly ever do anything crazy. In love, you are loyal and honest. If you commit yourself to someone, then you're fully committed. For you, love is something that happens naturally. And you don't need romantic gestures to feel loved. At work, you remember details well and are happy to take on any responsibility. You would make a great business executive, accountant, or lawyer. How you see yourself: Decisive, stable, and dependable When other people don't get you, they see you as: Boring, conservative, and egotistical

Tonight I came across something that was read at our wedding.  This is a Definition of Love:

Love is the desire to share things with somebody.

The longing to share your thoughts, your pastimes, your dreams, your hopes, your ambitions, your enthusiasms, your successes with somebody--this is love; the irresistible impulse to run off and tell somebody, to brag to somebody, to confess to somebody, to laugh with somebody, or to cry on somebody's shoulder.

This is love--the painful realization that you are missing half the joy of a beautiful sunset because he or she is not there to enjoy it with you; that the most delectable dinner is flat and flavorless, unless he or she is sitting across the table.

This is love--the inexplicable urge to reveal your secret thoughts to somebody, to discuss the news in the morning paper with somebody, to read to somebody that fascinating passage you came across last night.

There isn't much excitement or inspiration in anything-planting a garden, painting a picture, building a house, making a new discovery, dreaming a dream, working out a new philsophy, or putting salt on the tail of a brilliant idea, unless there is somewhere a bright particular he or she to thrill with you, to rejoice with you, and to share with you the profits or the plaudits.

There isn't much triumph or satisfaction in winning a fight, a game, a battle, or a job; there is little in achievement or accomplishment, unless there is somebody to share it with somebody rooting for you, somebody to say "I love you."

This is love--the power to enjoy things, to endure things, to work for things, and to sacrifice things together; to dream the same dreams, to hope the same hopes, and to find the same answer to the great mysteries of life. 

This is love--the desire to share things with somebody.

Here is the story of the Good Samaritan as told by Jaylyn during lunchtime. 

"Who were the people that took the clothes away?"

The Robbers

"Ohh, robbers took his clothes away.  What else did they take?"

Food

"The robbers took the man's food and clothes away.  They were NOT being nice...............Why weren't they being nice?"

I'm not sure................

"The other man didn't help him."

The temple priest didn't help him, you're right.

"But the man helped him.  What was he called?"

Samaritan

"The Samaritan helped the man.  The robbers took his clothes and food.  They hit him.  They fight.  They were NOT being nice.  The Samaritan picked him up just like this (cupping her hands).  He put him on his donkey."

You're right.  He took the man to a house so they could doctor him. 

"Why weren't the robbers being nice?  They fight and hit him."

I'm not sure...........they were just not being nice to the man.  They took his clothes and food.

"The Samaritan took him home to see the man's mommy.  She doctored his boo-boos.  She gave him band aids and more food.  The Samaritan was being nice.  The mommy told the robbers to be nice.  They obeyed."

I don't think that's quite how the story ended, but I really enjoyed her version of the story anyway. 

Well, it's been awhile!  I had to take a little blogging break.  Things were just so busy and stressful around here.  This past weekend, hubby took the CFP exam.  That was a LONG test!  He's been studying for over a year.  He took the six classes, the review course, and then the test.  He was so ready to be done with studying!  But I think I was even more ready for him to be done with studying!  Now we just have to wait for the test results.  He should know something in 6-8 weeks.  So, say a little prayer that he passed the test and doesn't have to retake it in December!!!! 

Now that the test is over, we've been enjoying some family time and lots and lots of swimming!  Here are our little pollywogs!

Jaxon enjoying his key ring and floatie

The family

Jaylyn swimming all by herself!!

And Jaxon enjoying the freedom from his floatie 

Here's an article advocating less deskwork in preschool and kindergarten. 

I've heard that children cannot learn to read (or should not be forced to learn) until after they can do activities that cross their body's midline (such as skipping).  They need both sides of the brain working together to be able to process words in order to read them. 

Play time is such an important aspect of learning!

One of Jaylyn's little chores around the house is to help with laundry.  She takes clothes to the hamper, unloads the washer to load the dryer, and unloads the dryer and puts the clothes on the bed.  Sometimes I let her help me sort the clothes (only when I don't mind the extra wrinkles........)  So, here is mommy's little helper at work.

Cheerfully loading the dryer (hear the sarcasm??)

Now she's helping

Play time in the hamper!

Breakfast time!

Banana Muffins

1 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

3 mashed bananas

1/4 cup milk

1/4 cup sour cream

2 egg whites

2 cups wheat flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Add cinnamon

Combine butter and sugar and beat well.  Add banana, milk, sour cream, and egg whites.  In separate bowl combine flour, soda, salt, and cinnamon and stir.  Add to creamed mixture, beating until blended.  Bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes. 

I've received some really great feedback on the WHYS.  So here's our plan for tackling them:

1)  Obedience comes first.  Obey and then we'll discuss why.  For most things, I want her to understand our reasoning behind things.  I also don't want to stifle her natural curiosity. 

So now Jaylyn will come to me, "I obeyed.  What is our discussion?"  It's so funny!

2)  Sometimes she really doesn't need to know the reason why because she's just asking to try to drive me crazy!  So sometimes I just tell her she doesn't need to know WHY, she just needs to obey. 

3)  I realized she was using the WHYS to try to manipulate us and be in control of the situation.  She is asking why, and she already knows the answer to many of the questions!  So, obedience comes first and then our discussion time.  In our discussion time, I ask her to tell ME why she was told to do whatever she did.  Her immediate response is, "I don't know.  Tell me Mommy."  But I hold out and guess what?  She gets the answer right almost 98% of the time.  She really does know why we do the things we do.  This proves that she does, in fact, listen to me!!!  So when I know that SHE KNOWS the answer, I make her give it to me. 

Wow!  What a difference this has made.  No more whiny WHYS and I can tell that she's listening!  And she loves our discussion time after the obedience when she is free to question away.  She learns so much during that time. 

"Because I said so, that's why!"  "Because I'm the mom!"  I so want to use those answers to the endless question of WHY???  Jaylyn just yesterday started asking WHY? over and over again.  "Please put your shoes in your closet."  WHY?  "It's bathtime."  WHY???  "Brush your teeth please."  WHY?  "Finish your dinner."  WHY?  "Don't talk with your mouth full."  WHY??? (as her food falls out of her mouth...........)  Ahhh!  They WHYS are driving us crazy.  How do you respond?  If I ignore the 100th WHY, then Jaylyn will say, "Speak Mommy!  Answer me!"  That's when I want to ask, "WHY????"  I try not to tell her the standard response of, "Because I said so."  But isn't that the truth?  It shouldn't matter why she needs to put her toys away, or why she needs to take a bath, or why she needs to chew with her mouth closed.  She should simply obey, right?  If it were only that easy.......until then, I better have lots of answers ready because I think the WHYS may stick around for a while.

And while we're on the topic of the WHYS, why do we have to buy the latest and greatest most expensive toys for our kids?  They are so easily entertained and can be so creative if given the opportunity.  Today, Jaylyn spent over 30 minutes playing with a ketchup packet.  She named the ketchup packet and had many conversations with him.  Together, they searched for the ketchup packet's mommy (I told her the mommy was a tomato).  Then she followed me around the house with the packet asking me all kinds of questions about what I was doing, but all my answers had to be directed to "ketchup" not Jaylyn.  Then she sang songs to her ketchup and went over to Jaxon to show him the ketchup.  Hmmmm, I had no idea that ketchup packets could be so fun.  Tomorrow, I might give her a mustard packet and see what she can come up with........maybe ketchup and mustard could be friends.